Gulzar cuts his Pakistan visit short, returns to India

By Hindustan Times

Famous poet and lyricist Gulzar, who was on a visit to his hometown Dena in Jhelum, Pakistan, has reportedly cut short his visit to Pakistan where he was scheduled to attend the recording of a qawali for an Indian film titled Dedh Ishqiya.

Pakistan's TV channel Geo TV said on Wednesday, the Indian High Commission has taken Gulzar in its protective custody and sent him back to India. The Indian High Commission sent Gulzar back due to possible reaction on hanging of terrorist Afzal Guru, the report added.

NDTV contrarily reported that the Indian High Commission has denied having any role in Gulzar's visit and said, "Gulzar saab's visit to Pakistan was a private one. The Indian High Commission, Islamabad was not aware of his itinerary and no one from the mission gave him any advice regarding his return to India, In fact the Indian High Commission was not even in contact with him. The news that he has been advised to return to India by the Indian High Commission, Islamabad is false and fabricated."

Renowned poet and lyricist Gulzar arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday for a private visit to participate in the Karachi Literary Festival. The poet-lyricist was to spend time with members of Lahore's literary fraternity, including poet Amjad Islam Amjad, before leaving for Karachi.